Mobile on-wing engine washing and water reclamation system

ABSTRACT

A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation includes a fluid applicator configured to introduce a cleaning liquid containing at least water into an engine while the engine is being operated, a trough positioned adjacent to the engine, and a collection conduit operatively positioned between an exit end of the engine and the trough to collect an air/liquid effluent mixture leaving the exit end of the engine and deliver at least a portion of the air/liquid effluent mixture to the trough. The collection conduit has an outlet that deposits collected liquid effluent into the trough, and further includes a series of diversion plates positioned within the collection conduit to separate liquid droplets from the air/liquid effluent mixture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/098,064, filed Apr. 4, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile on-wing engine washing system having a mobile unit for reclaiming water used to wash the engine.

(2) Prior Art

Jet engine efficiencies are reduced due to environmental contamination buildup in the engine components. Compressor blades and vanes can suffer from the accumulation of hydrocarbon deposits, dirt, salt, and corrosion residues, affecting their aerodynamic performance. These deposits can increase exhaust gas temperature and fuel use and decrease the engine's surge margin.

Many operators report good success in performance recovery using water wash procedures on a regular basis. The washing process involves cyclic washing of the engine with large amounts of water and sometimes, a small amount of detergent. The engine is motored at approximately 20% rpm during washing. Water wash procedures are currently performed in fixed hangar installations where the wastewater is collected and disposed of.

The effects of water wash are highly operator specific, based on such things as operating environment, time prior to first washing, and interval between washes. Once a deposited contaminant hardens or the amount becomes excessive, then the effectiveness of a water wash becomes reduced or possibly ineffective. Therefore, water washing should be performed frequently (around 750 hours). The cleanliness of the compressors may be noted during maintenance periods to determine if the wash interval used is effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is desired to provide a system and a process for washing engines which allows engine operators to clean their engines more frequently without significantly impacting aircraft availability.

It is further desired to provide a system and process as above which can be performed on-wing using mobile technology, while still complying with relevant environmental considerations and regulations.

It is still further desired to provide a system and process as above which does not require valuable hangar time.

The foregoing desires can be attained by embodiments of the system and the process of the present invention.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a system for engine washing and water reclamation is provided. The system broadly comprises means for operating an engine, means for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is being operated, and mobile means for collecting the cleaning liquid from an exit end of the engine and from underneath the engine.

Further in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a process for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation is provided. The process broadly comprises the steps of initiating operation of an engine, introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is operating, and collecting the cleaning liquid from an exit end of the engine and from underneath the engine onto a mobile unit.

Other details of the mobile on-wing engine washing and water reclamation system, as well as other benefits and advantages attendant thereto, are set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals depict like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile on-wing engine washing and water reclamation system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a portion of an effluent trough used in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a diversion ducting system which may be employed in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a centrifugal separation unit which may be used in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an inertial separation unit which may be used in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a mobile on-wing engine washing and water reclamation system; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a spray applicator connected to a support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a mobile on-wing engine washing and water reclamation system 10 in accordance with the present invention. The system 10 includes a mobile unit 12 on which there is located a source 14 of cleaning liquid and a used cleaning liquid collection trough or effluent trough 16. The system 10 also includes a second mobile unit 18 on which there is located a water treatment unit 20, a collection tank 22, and a generator 24 for mobile power production. While the trough 16 has been shown as being on mobile unit 12, it could be located on the second mobile unit 18 or on yet another mobile unit.

The cleaning liquid source 14 may contain water by itself or water mixed with an appropriate detergent. The detergent may comprise any suitable detergent known in the art in any suitable concentration. The particular type of detergent used, if any, depends on the type of contaminants, dirt, etc. to be removed. The cleaning liquid source 14 may comprise a wash unit with a pump, a heater, and a tank.

The cleaning liquid source 14 is connected to a solution applicator 26, such as one or more spray nozzles, by a hose or tubing 28. In one embodiment of the present invention, the solution applicator 26 may be located at the end of a shepherd's tool 30. In another embodiment, the solution applicator 26 may be part of a flexible or fixed support structure 80 (see FIG. 7). A suitable pump (not shown) may be provided in the source 14 or elsewhere on the unit 12 or unit 18 to generate a pressurized flow of the cleaning liquid through the applicator 26.

The spray applicator may have a single nozzle or multiple nozzles. If nozzles are used, one or more nozzles may introduce the cleaning liquid into the compressor and one or more nozzles may introduce the cleaning liquid onto the fan section.

The spray applicator 26 may be inserted into a portion of an on-wing engine 32 to be cleaned. Preferably, the spray applicator 26 is positioned so that the cleaning liquid flows into a compressor section of the engine 32. The fan area of the engine 32 may or may not be washed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is introduced into the on-wing engine 32 while the engine 32 is operating or motoring. The engine 32 may be motored or operated using a starter 36. The starter 36 may be a starter onboard the aircraft (not shown) or may be attached to the mobile units 12 or 18. The engine is preferably motored by the starter at about 20% N2. This allows the cleaning liquid to be ingested by the engine 32 into the fan area and/or the compressor section. The cleaning liquid will pass through the entire engine from the compressor section throughout the turbine section to the exhaust section.

Cleaning liquid which has passed through the engine may be collected into the trough 16 via a collection conduit 38 connected to the exit end or exhaust nozzle 40 of the engine 32. The conduit 38 has an outlet 42 that deposits the collected cleaning liquid into the trough 16. Preferably, the trough 16 is positioned beneath the engine 32. The collection method may include a diversion ducting system 50 such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 which capture the air/water effluent and separate the droplets from the air flow. “Diversion ducting” refers to ducting the air flow through a series of “diversion” plates 54 so that the water droplets impact the plates 54 and fall out of the air stream. “Diversion ducting” is a method of achieving “inertial separation”. The water droplets exiting the diversion ducting system 50 may be collected in the trough 16 or elsewhere for treatment.

There are many ways to separate water droplets from the air streams exiting the engine 32. These other ways include, but are not limited to, filters, gutters, directional changes, etc. Centrifugal separation is also a method of inertial separation but “spins” or “throws” out the droplets by channeling the airflow around a curved surface 60 as shown in FIG. 4 thus causing the droplets to impact the curved surface and then fall out of the air stream.

In an alternative method of solution application, an applicator 26 that washes both fan and compressor may be introduced into the engine inlet 34.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an inertial or centrifugal separation unit 33 may be used to perform air/water separation. The inertial separation unit when used may comprise any suitable inertial separation unit known in the art such as that shown in FIG. 5. Similarly, the centrifugal separation unit, when used, may comprise any suitable centrifugal separation unit known in the art such as that shown in FIG. 4.

The mobile unit 12 has a pump 44, such as a sump pump, for conveying collected cleaning liquid from the trough 16 to the water treatment unit 20. A power distribution device 46 may be provided on the unit 12 or unit 18. The power distribution device 46 is connected to the generator 24 and may be used to power the pump 44 and/or the pump (not shown) for generating the spray of cleaning liquid.

The water treatment unit 20 may comprise any suitable water treatment unit known in the art. Preferably, the water treatment unit 20 includes a filter 48 for removing solid particulates and oils. The water treatment unit 20 may also include means for treating the collected liquid to remove dissolved solids.

The filtered and treated water is reclaimed and collected in the collection tank 22. The reclaimed water in the tank 22 may be pumped to the cleaning liquid source 14 using a suitable hose and pump arrangement and used as the base cleaning liquid.

The volume of water used to clean the engine varies by engine size and type. Generally, from about 30 to 60 gallons of water will be used per engine.

While the system has been shown as including two mobile units, it should be recognized that the system could be placed on a single mobile cart or three carts if desired. The emphasis is upon mobility, flexibility for a variety of engines, and independent operation.

The system and process of the present invention provide a number of advantages. First, engine operators can clean their engines more frequently without significantly impacting aircraft availability. Second, engine efficiency can be increased due to more frequent cleaning. Third, the cleaning procedure can be performed on-wing since it involves mobile technology. Fourth, valuable hangar time is not required. Fifth, the system takes advantage of environmental friendly, waste water collection, and re-circulation. Sixth, there is no water disposal costs due to recycling. Seventh, the system provides quick turn-time and a low impact cleaning process. Eighth, the system and the process are economically desirable because of greatly reduced cleaning costs and improved quality.

While the system of FIG. 1 has been shown as including a conduit 38, the conduit may be omitted if desired. In such a case, the air/water exiting the engine 32 collects in the trough 16 positioned underneath the engine 32. A collection duct or device 70 which is not connected to the engine 32, as shown in FIG. 6, may be used to further collect the air/water exiting the engine. The duct or device 70 may be provided with a suitable means 72 for droplet separation, such as a diversion ducting unit, an inertial separation unit, or a centrifugal separation unit. The duct or device 70 may have an outlet 74 for allowing collected liquid to flow into tank 14.

It is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention a mobile on-wing engine washing and water reclamation system which fully satisfies the objects, means, and advantages set forth hereinbefore. While the present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, other alternatives, modifications, and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation, the system comprising: a fluid applicator configured to introduce a cleaning liquid containing at least water into an engine while the engine is being operated; a trough positioned adjacent to the engine; and a collection conduit operatively positioned between an exit end of the engine and the trough to collect an air/liquid effluent mixture leaving the exit end of the engine and deliver at least a portion of the air/liquid effluent mixture to the trough, the collection conduit having an outlet that deposits collected liquid effluent into the trough, wherein the collection conduit includes a series of diversion plates positioned within the collection conduit to separate liquid droplets from the air/liquid effluent mixture.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid further includes detergent.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid applicator comprises at least one spray nozzle.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid applicator comprises a plurality of nozzles, with a first of the plurality of nozzles injecting cleaning fluid onto a compressor of the engine, and a second of the plurality of nozzles depositing cleaning fluid onto a fan section of the engine.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid applicator comprises a shepherd's hook tool having a spray nozzle.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid applicator comprises means for causing the cleaning liquid to be ingested into at least one of a compressor section and a fan area of the engine.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the series of diversion plates are configured as part of an inertial separation system.
 8. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising: filtering means for removing solid particulates and oils from liquid effluent collected by the trough.
 9. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising: a water treatment unit that includes a filter; and a pump configured to convey liquid effluent from the trough to the water treatment unit.
 10. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising: treatment means for removing dissolved solids from liquid effluent collected by the trough.
 11. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising: a cleaning liquid source mounted on a cart.
 12. The system according to claim 1 and further comprising: a mobile unit comprising: treating means for treating the collected liquid effluent; and a collection tank configured to store the collected liquid effluent after treatment.
 13. The system according to claim 12 and further comprising: a pump for moving collected liquid effluent from the trough to the treating means.
 14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the series of diversion plates include a plurality of generally planar plates.
 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the series of diversion plates comprises plates arranged parallel to each other.
 16. The system according to claim 1, wherein a first and a second of the series of diversion plates are positioned in a non-parallel relationship.
 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the collection conduit is connected to the engine at or near the exit end of the engine.
 18. A process for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation, the process comprising the steps of: initiating operation of an engine; introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is operating; collecting an air/liquid effluent mixture from an exit end of the engine into a collection conduit; impacting the air/liquid effluent onto a series of diversion plates to cause liquid effluent droplets to fall out of the air/liquid effluent mixture; and collecting the liquid effluent droplets downstream from the series of diversion plates.
 19. A process according to claim 18, wherein the introducing step comprises introducing the cleaning liquid into said engine so that the cleaning liquid flows through at least one of a fan area and a compressor section of the engine.
 20. A process according to claim 18, further comprising additional processing of the collected liquid effluent, the additional processing including at least one additional step selected from the group consisting of: filtering the collected liquid effluent to remove solid particulates and oils, and treating the collected liquid effluent to remove dissolved solids. 